Exam reform: Focusing on facts ‘won’t equip pupils for modern life’, says leading independent school head

Independent Sector

A leading independent school headmaster has warned that the greater focus on facts and knowledge in reformed GCSEs and A-levels may fail to equip pupils for the modern world. Chris King, the new chair of the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC) representing top private schools, raised the concerns in an interview with TES. Tricia Kelleher, principal of the Stephen Perse Foundation and Julie Lodrick, principal of The Mount School in York, are also quoted. By Kaye Wiggins, The TES.

Schoolchildren head to Europe to teach MEPs coding, while Queen Margaret’s is awarded the UK’s best school food. Read our weekly good news round-up. Mentions Brighton College and Bolton School. Quotes Jessica Miles, head teacher at Queen Margaret’s, York and Chris Alcock, headmaster at Queen’s College, Taunton. By Joe Storey, The Telegraph.

Head teachers of leading independent schools have criticised lavish overseas trips that cost more than £2,000 a head and have limited educational value. Quotes Jane Grubb, headmistress of Bedales preparatory school, Dunhurst and Ben Evans, headmaster of Edge Grove School in Hertfordshire. By Mark Bridges, The Times. Also the subject of a leader item in The Times and reported by The Daily Mail.

We need them in ‘hard’ sciences argues former Harrow head. Quotes Barnaby Lenon, chairman of ISC. Link not available online. Article from 18 September. By Kaye Wiggins, The TES.

University lectures are too boring, say school heads

Higher Education

Many lecturers at top universities have failed to adapt their teaching methods to the digital age, a leading headmaster says. In an interview with The Times, Chris King, incoming chairman of HMC, said that universities must rethink teaching, especially to first-year students. By Greg Hurst, The Times.

Cambridge University may bring back entry exam as too many acing A-levels

Higher Education

Cambridge University is considering reintroducing an entrance exam because too many applicants get top marks in their A-levels, in a move that has raised concerns that state school pupils would be put at a disadvantage. Quotes Barnaby Lenon, chairman of ISC. By Ian Johnston, The Independent on Sunday. Also reported by The Sunday Telegraph and The Sunday Times.

Exam boards should be banned from competing for business from schools because of the "real danger" of standards being watered down, the chief inspector of schools has warned. By Javier Espinoza, Education Editor, The Telegraph.

As the rugby World Cup gets under way, the private school where the game started nearly 200 years ago is to mark the event by establishing its first girls’ rugby team. Rugby School — where in 1823 a schoolboy, William Webb Ellis, made sporting history when he picked up a ball and ran with it — has started coaching girls with the aim of entering a team into a national league. Quotes Peter Green, headmaster at Rugby School. By Sian Griffiths, Education Editor, The Sunday Times.

The laws of rugby could be changed in an effort to reduce cases of concussion, the sport’s chief medical officer has revealed. Quotes Chris King, the new chair of the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC)’ Mr King, the headmaster of Leicester Grammar School; John Mallett, the former Bath and England player who is director of rugby at Millfield School; Gregg Davies, the headmaster of Shiplake College and Andrew Fleck, the headmaster of Sedbergh School. By Greg Hurst, The Times.

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